The Tale of Princess Kaguya

Okina is an old farmer who one day finds a tiny girl the size of a finger inside a glowing bamboo lamp. He brings the girl home to his wife Ouna. They decide to take care of her, and she becomes a real human child, growing up with Okina and Ouna as her parents.

The Tale of Princess Kaguya is the second film from Studio Ghibli to be released this year, made by one of the great masters of animation. 78-year-old Takahata Isao is primarily known for creating the very touching Grave of the Fireflies (1988) about the fate of two children during World War II. The Tale of Princess Kaguya is his first movie in 14 years, and it is based on one of Japan's oldest fairytales.

The animation is beautiful and distinctive, making this a visual delight for kids and grown-ups alike. ls

Takahata Isao (b. 1935) is the main profile in this year's Mangapolis-programme, and he is a veteran at Studio Ghibli, which he established together with Miyazaki Hayao. His most famous works include Grave of the Fireflies (1988), which is also screened in the section, Only Yesterday (1991) and My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999).